Today’s Workout: This exercise will get your body moving

Sometimes you simply need to move. It doesn’t matter what, but that the body is in motion. Don’t you miss being a kid when all you wanted to do was run, jump, kick and wiggle?

Unfortunately, as adults, those movements aren’t acceptable at work, school or in meetings. When you can, let loose and bring out that inner kid.

Today’s move is a side stepping knee tuck. Nothing wild and crazy, but it’s definitely movement, and sure to get your heart pumping. All you need is a flat surface and you are ready to move.

Begin this side step by standing tall, chest up and core engaged. Start by stepping side-to-side, getting the rhythm of your movement and balance. When you’re ready, add the arms by reaching overhead on each outward step. Once that rhythm is mastered, it’s time to add a knee tuck. As you step out to the side, reach your arms overhead, lift the other knee upward and pull your arms into the knee, creating an abdominal move. Once you reach your fullest tuck, release, step out with the tucked leg and repeat with your other leg.

Basically you will be stepping out and reaching at the same time, then pulling your knee up and tucking the arms at the same time. It starts to flow once you give it a few repetitions. Shoot for a determined amount of time or use it as a warm-up for your regular workout.

And whoever said we aren’t supposed to continue jumping, running, kicking and wiggling our way through life?

— Marlo Alleva, an instructor at Gold’s Gym and group fitness coordinator at Fontaine-Gills YMCA in Lakeland, Florida, can be reached at faluvzpa@msn.com

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